Daily Readings - Tue Apr 13 2021
Acts
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
John
7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things?11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man.14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
Sermon
The first reading from Acts describes the early Christian community, where believers shared everything in common, living with unity and generosity. This was not a communism forced by rule, but a free and joyful sharing inspired by their faith in the Resurrection of Jesus. The Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, testified to the power of Christ, and the community ensured that no one was in need. Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, exemplifies this spirit of selflessness by selling his land and giving the proceeds to the Apostles to support the community. This passage highlights the transformative power of faith and the call to live as one family in Christ.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the necessity of being "born anew" by the Spirit. Just as the Spirit moves freely, so too must our hearts be open to God’s grace. Jesus uses the image of the bronze serpent lifted up by Moses in the desert—a prefiguration of his own crucifixion—to illustrate how salvation comes through faith in him. The passage emphasizes that faith is not about understanding everything but trusting in God’s love and plan. Jesus’ words challenge Nicodemus, and us, to move beyond earthly thinking and embrace the heavenly reality of God’s love.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith. The early Christians in Acts show us that living as followers of Christ means sharing our lives and resources with others. The Gospel reminds us that this way of life is only possible when we are spiritually reborn, open to the Holy Spirit, and willing to trust in God’s plan. In our daily lives, we are called to imitate this selfless love and generosity, to trust in God’s providence, and to live as a community united in faith. Let us ask the Spirit to inspire us to live with such freedom and joy, that we might be witnesses to the power of Christ’s love in the world.